Week 7 Reflection Blog: Franzen's TEDtalk: "Save What You Love"

In Johnathan Franzen’s TEDtalk, he introduces himself as being there “on behalf of other species” (Franzen). He reflects on the time he spent weighing the environmental effects of his own actions, and grew more frustrated contemplating the environmentally damaging actions of large corporations that he could not change. Franzen became involved in advocacy journalism about conservation, a means of spreading awareness about environmental issues. Journalism was his solution to his frustration of being one person trying to solve environmental issues. His reflections of nature also brought him to be exceptionally fond of a particular animal: birds. He became what he refers to himself as “an obsessive hardcore birder” (Franzen). He knew that birds, alongside all species of animals, needed help – their homes were under environmental attack – by humans.

Franzen also knew the mainstream environmental movement was being given up, all resources and time going to one issue: climate change. People gave up caring and making conservation efforts because it felt like a goal too far-fetched. Climate change was seen as the only and ultimate conservation matter, because with no planet left to save, there can’t be any other works of conservation matter. The context of “binary thinking and a monolithic focus,” as Franzen describes it, was holding us back from making a difference. He urges the audience to open their eyes, and they will see that there are a whole bunch of things that matter. He mentions problems of adaptation and resilience in fire, flooding, and communities. We should not get frustrated and give up over the 1.5 degree change in climate our planet is facing. Franzen offers the audience a simple, yet effective solution: make a difference from your own backyard. You can help to strengthen the ecosystems we still have by keeping your cats indoors and building fences. Predator control can help to protect species in danger that can no longer help themselves as a result of human inhabitants in their habitats. 

Franzen brings in an example of a small island off the coast of New Zealand. It was not the beautiful environment that you picture, but by one family participating in predator control, bird species that had not been spotted for generations were able to make a return to their home.

“A new generation is coming back because of one family loving this bird.” Franzen stated. The solution that Franzen offers to the audience makes climate change less of a daunting task. It relieves some of the frustration that people fear over being just one person. If more and more people understand this solution, environmental conservation can become a much more approachable goal for individuals, creating communities as a result. 

I could definitely apply Franzen’s solution in this TED talk to my advocacy project. This week I have been researching some issues that dogs face. One I chose to focus on is homelessness. One of the most common proposed solutions to this issue is adopting dogs, but not everyone is always able to adopt a dog. Educating people about smaller ways that they contribute will offer new perspectives about how you can help. More smaller contributions can create a larger change than just a few people making a big change. Franzen’s article is very inspiring, and going forward I will definitely think of smaller choices I can make that can add up to make a big difference.